Shona Numbers
Welcome to the sixth Shona lesson about numbers. This time we will learn about cardinal and ordinal numbers, followed by grammar rules, then animal names, finally a conversation in Shona to help you practice your daily phrases.
| Cardinal and Ordinal - Shona |
|---|
| one potsi |
| first yokutanga |
| two piri |
| second yepiri |
| three tatu |
| third yechitatu |
| four ina |
| fourth yechina |
| five shanu |
| fifth yechishanu |
| six nhanhatu |
| sixth yechitanhatu |
| seven nomwe |
| seventh yechinomwe |
| eight sere |
| eighth yechisere |
| nine pfumbamwe |
| ninth yepfumbamwe |
| ten gumi |
| tenth yegumi |
| eleven gumi neimwe |
| eleventh yegumi neimwe |
| twelve gumi nembiri |
| twelfth yegumi nembiri |
| thirteen gumi netatu |
| thirteenth yegumi netatu |
| fourteen gumi neina |
| once kamwe chete |
| fifteen gumi neshanu |
| twice kaviri |
| sixteen gumi nenhanhatu |
| Monday muvhuro |
| seventeen gumi nenomwe |
| Tuesday chipiri |
| eighteen gumi nesere |
| Wednesday chitatu |
| nineteen gumi nepfumbamwe |
| Thursday china |
| twenty makumi maviri |
| Friday chishanu |
| seventy one makumi manomwe neimwe |
| Saturday mugovera |
| one hundred zana rimwe chete |
| Sunday svondo |
Numbers Grammar Rules
Shona cardinal numbers refer to the counting numbers, because they show quantity. For example: I speak two languages. Ordinal numbers on the other hand tell the order of things and their rank: my first language is Shona. The examples below use numbers in different ways and places to demonstrate how they behave in a sentence.
| Grammar + Rules - Shona |
|---|
| I have three dogs [number + noun] ndine imbwa nhatu |
| my daughter has two cats [number + noun] mwanasikana wangu ane katsi mbiri |
| she speaks seven languages [verb + number] anotaura mitauro minomwe |
| my brother has one son [number + singular noun] munun'una wangu ane mwanakomana mumwechete |
| this is my second lesson [ordinal number + noun] ichi chidzidzo changu chechipiri |
| did you read the third book? [ordinal number + noun] wakaverenga bhuku rechitatu here? |
We're not done yet! The following is a list of animals.
cow mombe |
goat mbudzi |
donkey dhongi |
horse bhiza |
dog imbwa |
cat katsi |
mouse mbeva |
bird shiri |
Conversation in Shona
Now we finally reach the last part, the practice of the daily conversations. These phrases are used to get to know new people, and break the ice.
| English - Shona |
|---|
| Where are you from? unobva kupi? |
| I'm from the U.S ndinobva kuu.s |
| I'm American ndiri wokuamerica |
| Where do you live? unogara kupi? |
| I live in the U.S ndinogara muu.s |
| What do you do for a living? unoitei chinokuraramisa? |
| I'm a student ndiri mudzidzi |
Did you enjoy this lesson about numbers in Shona? I hope so, if you have any problem with this lesson contact me with questions you have homepage. You can now check the next lesson below.
Inspirational Quote: Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking. William B. Sprague |